The Bek Bully takes out late replacement

Unbeaten Uzbek Bektemir Melikuziev (5-0, 4) [Бектемир Мелиқўзиев] was scheduled for a big step up this week, when he was matched against former world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban (25-5-1, 16). Sadly that bout fell through, very late on, and Periban was replaced by the much less capable Oscar Cortes (27-6, 14).

It was obvious from the moment the two men stepped in the ring that Cortes didn't belong in there, he looked out of shape, and had a look on his face that seemed resigned to defeat. 

As soon as the bell went Melikuziev was on the front foot, pressing whilst Cortes seemed to be looking to stay away. Unfortunately for Cortes Melikuziev cut the ring off effectively and cornered him several times.

Earlier in the round the Uzbek dropped the Mexican with a sweeping right hook. Cortes got up, but was stopped around 40 seconds later, when he was dropped for the second time. Although the referee started a count he waved the bout off part way through.

Whilst Periban's pull out was unfortunate, the commission really need to explain why they allowed Cortes in there with Melikuziev. ​The 26 year old Mexican, who started his career at Featherweight, really had no right to be in there with someone like the Uzbek. On paper it does look a good win, given Cortes went longer with Hugo Centeno Jr and Kamil Szeremeta, but in reality this was pointless and really shouldn't have been sanctioned.